Amy Hannah Johnston

Amy Hannah Johnston, a retired Brigadier General from Fredericksburg, VA, dedicated over 30 years to serving her country in the U.S. Army. Raised in Edina, MN, and Findlay, OH, she grew up with a strong work ethic and a deep sense of duty, which guided her throughout her distinguished military career and continue to shape her life today. Amy Johnston has held multiple vital roles in humanitarian and combat missions worldwide. She served in key locations such as Seoul, Korea, and Mons, Belgium, where she took on crucial positions at United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command in Korea, and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). She also serves as an advisor for the Center for Information, Democracy, and Citizenship at the American University in Bulgaria, where she contributes her expertise to promoting global democracy and civic engagement. A personal and significant aspect of Amy’s life is her commitment to honoring the memory of her late husband, Major General Gary W. Johnston. After his unexpected passing, she established the Gary Johnston Leadership Award at Arkansas Tech University in his honor. This award continues to recognize individuals who exemplify the leadership and integrity that her husband demonstrated during his career in the military. Amy’s educational journey was instrumental in her success. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Ohio State University, a field that has always fascinated her due to its focus on understanding human behavior. She then pursued a master’s degree in Communications from the American University in Washington, DC. These studies gave her valuable insight into organizational behavior and human motivations, which were key to her success in the Army.  Additionally, Amy earned an M.S. in National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School at the National Defense University. She graduated from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. During her 31 years of service, Amy Hannah held several senior-level positions in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, where her strong communication skills and strategic insight were invaluable. Her work included humanitarian efforts such as Operation Sea Signal in Cuba, assisting Cuban and Haitian migrants seeking asylum. She also played a key role in disaster relief operations following Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and contributed to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks. She later served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, helping stabilize the region during years of conflict and rebuilding. After retiring from the Army, Amy remains active in her community. She serves on the board of Tree Fredericksburg, where she supports local tree-planting initiatives to enhance urban green spaces. She is also committed to veterans’ well-being through her work with her therapy dog, Duke, and the Alliance for Therapy Dogs, offering support to military personnel in Virginia. Amy Hannah Johnston’s career and community contributions reflect her unwavering commitment to service and leadership. Her life inspires others as she actively contributes to her community and honors the values that have defined her journey.